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Oil, Gold Rise as Geopolitical Risks Grip Markets Ahead of U.S. CPI 
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Gold Prices Slip From Two-Month High as Inflation and Fed Outlook Drive Markets 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm After U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Imposes New US Tariffs on Drone Imports Over National Security Concerns 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Canada, US Hold Fresh Trade Talks as August 19 Tariff Deadline Nears 
US Dollar Holds Firm as Fed Outlook and Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Iran War Escalates as US, Houthis Target Ships Near Key Oil Routes 
KOSPI Eyes Best Weekly Gain Since June as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally 
China Automakers Accelerate Global Expansion as Domestic Car Sales Slump 
KOSPI Rebounds 20% as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead South Korea Stock Rally 
European Stocks Rise as U.S. Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Japan Government Backs Earlier BOJ Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Build 
Gold Prices Retreat From Two-Month High as Softer Inflation Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Canada-US Trade Talks Gain Momentum Ahead of Aug. 19 Tariff Deadline 
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Asian stocks mostly advanced Friday, putting regional markets on course for their strongest weekly performance since mid-June as softer US inflation data eased concerns over another Federal Reserve interest rate hike.
The rally followed gains on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed at a record high Thursday and the Nasdaq reached its highest level since late June. In Asian trading, Nasdaq 100 futures slipped around 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures remained largely unchanged.
Investor sentiment improved after US producer prices were flat in July, below expectations for a 0.2% increase. Annual producer price inflation also slowed to 4.7% from 5.5% in June. Fed funds futures now indicate roughly a 35% probability of a rate hike, down from 55% a week earlier.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index gained about 0.5%, heading toward a 2.7% weekly increase and its fourth consecutive week of gains. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 1.6%, supported by semiconductor stocks, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7% and the TOPIX added 0.8%.
SK Hynix jumped 3.2%, extending its weekly gain beyond 15%, while Samsung Electronics advanced 0.9%. LG Innotek gained 4.1%. Japanese technology shares also strengthened, with Kioxia Holdings rising 3.4% and Sony surging 5.2%.
Chinese markets underperformed the broader Asian stock rally. The CSI 300 declined 0.12%, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.2%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.9%.
Chinese semiconductor giant SMIC gained 2.2% following earnings that highlighted strong artificial intelligence-related demand. However, major technology stocks struggled. Baidu fell 1.55%, Alibaba declined 2.3%, and Meituan sank 5.53%. JD.com plunged 10% after reporting its first year-on-year revenue decline in more than a decade, reinforcing concerns about weak Chinese consumer demand.
Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.9%, while India’s Nifty 50 opened 0.3% lower. Brent crude held near $87 a barrel and remained on track for a roughly 4% weekly gain amid renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran.
